Apparatus for applying adhesives or the like to irregularly shaped objects



Sept. 9, 1969 F. c. FERRls 3,465,712

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVES OR THE LIKE TO IRREGULARLY SHAPED OBJECTS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. lO. 1964 Sept. 9, 1969 F. c. FERRls APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVES OR THE LIKE TO IRREGULARLY SHAPED OBJECTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. l0, 1964 INVENTOR, 7x C". frrzs ivry/uw@ United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 118--8 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for applying a fluid material to a series of irregularly shaped workpieces including, a conveyor for carrying a plurality of workpieces along a preselected path, a dispensing mechanism extending above the path and adapted to dispense fluid material therefrom onto the workpieces as they are conveyed along the path, means supporting the dispensing mechanism for laterally sliding movement, a follower engageable with the workpieces as they are conveyed along the path, the follower being operatively connected to the dispensing mechanism in a manner such that the mechanism will be biased laterally of the path in response to the conformation of the workpieces, with the result that the dispensing mechanism is always disposed directly above the workpieces as they move along the path.

The purpose of the above abstract is to provide a nonlegal technical statement of the disclosure of the contents of the instant patent application and thus serve as a searching-scanning tool for scientists, engineers and researchers. Accordingly, this abstract is not intended to be used in understanding or otherwise comprehending the principles of the present invention, herein described in detail, nor is it intended to be used in interpreting or in any way limiting the scope or fair meaning of the claims appended hereto.

This invention relates generally to a fluid dispensing apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for selectively applying fluid substances such as adhesives or the like to a continuously moving series of irregularly shaped members.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the above character of an extremely simple design and which may thus be installed with a minimum capital expenditure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the above character which has very few moving parts and therefore is smooth and durable in operation and has an extremely long service life.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that will serve to uniformly apply adhesives or similar type fluid substances to a series of members, all of which are of a different shape or configuration.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the above character wherein the quantity of the adhesive or the like applied to the members may be readily adjusted.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the foregoing and other related objects and advantages are attained through a construction which includes an elongated workstock conveying structure along which a series of irregularly shaped workpeces may be continuously conveyed. In operative association with the aforesaid structure is a dispensing mechanism for applying an adhesive or the like to the workpieces being conveyed therealong. The dispensing mechanism includes a suitable follower device which controls the position of a fluid discharge means in response to the particular configuration li ce or conformation of the workpieces to which the fluid is being applied.

A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects and features thereof will be obtained from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary top elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view of one of the workpieces to which an adhesive or the like is applied by the structure illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross sectional view of the workpiece illustrated in FIGURE 3, taken along the line 4 4 thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken along the line 5--5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 5, taken along the line 7--7 thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, an adhesive or similar type fluid applying apparatus 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises an elongated support structure 12 including a plurality of vertically extending support legs 14 and a generally horizontally extending yworkpiece conveying platform 16 which is secured as by welding or the like to the upper ends of the legs 14. As seen in FIGURE 5, the platform 16 is fabricated of generally C-shaped channel stock and comprises a pair of spaced parallel and downwardly extending side sections 18 and 20', and an intermediate section 22 which extends horizontally between the side sections 18 and 20. A pair of spaced parallel guide rails 24 and 26 are secured, as by welding, to the top of the ntermediate section 22 and, together with that portion of the top of the section 22 between the rails 24 and 26, defines an elongated workpiece conveying trough or recess, generally designated 28. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 30 are provided on the top of the platform 16 interjacent to the guide rails 24 and 26, which ribs 30 serve to minimize the frictional forces resisting relatively free sliding movement of workpieces within the trough 28.

`Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a workpiece containing magazine structure, generally designated 32, extends upwardly from a position directly over the leftj end of the trough 28. 'Ihe structure 32 consists of a generally C-shaped enclosure which is open on both the top and bottom and on one side thereof the enclosure being generally rectangular in cross section and having the dimensions of the inner periphery thereof slightly larger than the dimensions of a plurality of workpieces, generally designated by the numeral 33, contained therein. The workpieces 33 are adapted to be placed within the structure 32 through the open upper end thereof and successively fed out the open lower end of the structure 32 into the trough 28. Means for continually feeding successive workpieces 33 from the lower end of the magazine structure 32 to the trough 28 is achieved through the use of a pair of transversely spaced conveyor belts 34 and 36 that are rotatably mounted on a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of sheaves 38 that are mounted two on each of three transversely extending shafts 40, 42 and 44 that are affixed to the support structure 12 below the intermediate section 22 of the support platform 16. The sheaves 38 are arranged such that the conveyor belts 34 and 36 supported thereon extend through a central opening 45 in the platform 16 and engage the lowermost workpiece in the magazine structure 32, the belts 34 and 36 thereby serving to continuously move each successive workpiece toward the right end of the support section 12. Rotary movement is transmitted to the conveyor belts 34 and 36 `by a variable drive electric motor, generally designated 46, that is mounted on a suitable support member 48 extending horizontally between two of the support legs 14. The motor 46 includes an output shaft 50 upon which is mounted a suitable sheave 52 that is operatively connected to a drive sheave 54 mounted on the outboard end of the shaft 44 by a suitable drive belt 56.

To assure that the workpieces are contiguously engaged with the ribs 30 extending longitudinally within the trough 28, a pressure roller assembly, generally designated 58, is provided on the structure 12 interjacent the magazine structure 32 and the mechanism, hereinafter to be described, for applying an adhesive or the like to the workpieces being conveyed along the structure 12. The assembly 58 comprises four upwardly extending support legs, generally designated 60, upon which a generally horizontally extending platform 64 is rigidly mounted. Depending downwardly from the platform 64 are four support rods, generally designated 66, that are secured to the platform 64 by a plurality of nuts 68 and support a horizontally extending roller support plate 70 at their lower end. Rotatably mounted on the lower side of the plate 70 by a pair of journaled support members 72 is an elongated cylindrical roller 74 that extends transversely of the platform 16. The plate 70 is spring loaded downwardly by a plurality of coil springs, generally designated 76, disposed one on each of the rods 66, whereby the roller 72 is resiliently urged into engagement with the workpieces being transmitted along the trough 28.

Located directly beneath the roller 74 is a drive roller 77 which also extends transversely of the platform 16 and is journal supported in a manner such that the periphery thereof extends through a suitable opening in the platform 16 and engages the workpieces 33 sliding along the conveying trough 28, the drive roller 77 therefore supplementing the action of the conveyor belts 34 and 36 to continually move successive workpieces 33 along the trough 28. The roller 77 is rotated by means of the aforediscussed motor 46 which is connected to the roller 77 by means of a conventional drive belt 78 that is rotatably mounted on suitable sheaves 80 and 82 secured to the roller 77 and a rnotor drive shaft 84, respectively.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 5, the support structure 12 includes a laterally outwardly projecting platform 86 which includes a downwardly extending flange section 88 that is rigidly secured by a plurality of bolts 90 and nuts 92 to the outboard side of the section 20 of the platform 16 at the opposite end of the structure 12 from the magazine 32. Mounted on the top of the platform 86 and eX- tending transversely across the member 16 is an adhesive or similar type fluid dispensing mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 94. The mechanism 94 comprises a hollow elongated cylinder 96 which has an end portion 98 that closes one (left) end thereof (see FIG- URE the opposite end of the cylinder 96 having a fluid inlet fitting 100 secured therewithin, as by welding or the like. The cylinder 96 is adapted to contain a quantity of fluid such as a liquid adhesive or the like that is pumped from a suitable source (not shown) through a fluid conduit 102 that is threadably secured to the inlet fitting 100 by means of an associated fitting, herein designated 104. A suitable valve means (not shown) is communicable with the fluid conduit 102 and is adapted to selectively control the ow of adhesive or the like between the aforesaid source and the cylinder 96. The lower side of the cylinder 96 is formed with a plurality of aligned discharge ports, generally designated 106, through which the adhesive or the like being transmitted to the cylinder 96 may be applied to the workpieces 33 being conveyed along the trough 28.

As best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, the cylinder 96 is rotatably mounted within an annular bore 108 formed in a central body section 110 of a slide member, generally designated 112. As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the section 110 is formed with an outwardly and horizontally extending slot 114 which intersects the bore 108 and permits a locking screw 116 that is threadably mounted within and projects upwardly from the top of the member 112 to lockingly secure the cylinder 96 within the bore 108. It will be noted that the cylinder 96 may be easily removed from the slide member 112 by merely loosening the locking screw 116 and sliding the cylinder 96 axially from the bore 108. The body section 110 of the slide member 112 is also formed with a pair of shoulder portions 118 and 120 that project outwardly from the opposite sides of the bottom or lower end of the member 112 and contiguously bear upon the top of a flat rectangularly shaped slide plate 122. Rigidly secured to the top of the plate 122 by a plurality of bolts 124 (see FIGURE l) is a pair of spaced parallel gibs or slideways 126 and 128 which are formed with longitudinally extending flange sections 130 and 132, respectively, that are adapted to overlie the shoulder portions 118 and 120 of the slide member 112, whereby the members 126 and 128 permit the slide member 112 and cylinder 96 to slide freely therebetween while preventing any relative vertical movement between the slide member 112 and the slideway members 126 and 128.

As seen in FIGURES 1 and 7, the plate 122 is pivotally secured along one transversely extending side thereof to the top of the platform 86 by being secured, as by welding, to a pivot block 134 that is hingedly connected to the platform 86 in a conventional manner by a pivot pin or shaft 136 and a hinge bracket 138, the later of which is rigidly affixed to the top of the platform 86 adjacent the plate 122. An elongated handle 140 is rigidly secured as by welding to the lower side of the pivot plate 122 opposite the hinge bracket 138, which handle 140 extends longitudinally of the support structure 12 adjacent the side rail 26, as seen in FIGURE 1, and is adapted to facilitate pivoting the entire dispensing mechanism 94 upwardly about the pivot pin 136 for cleaning and the like. The handle 140 is normally nested within a bifurcated support bracket 142 affixed to the top of the platform 86.

Projecting from the inboard side of the slide member 112 is a follower arm 144 which includes a semicircular workpiece-engaging follower head 146. It will be seen that as the workpieces 33 are conveyed along the trough 28, the follower arm 144 serves to move the slide member 112 and cylinder 96 in a manner such that the discharge ports 106 formed in the lower side of the cylinder 96 continuously overlie each successive workpiece 33, whereby the adhesive or the like being discharged through the ports 106 will be applied to the individual workpieces in accordance with the particular shape or configuration thereof, as seen in FIGURE 3.

Means for assuring that the follower arm 144 and head 146 are continuously urged toward the workpieces 33 as they pass along the trough 28 is provided through the use of a counterbalance weight 148 that is hung, as by a suitable hook device 149, or otherwise suitably attached to one end of a cable, rope, or the like, herein designated 150, that is secured by an eyelet 152 to the end section 98 of the cylinder 96. As seen in FIGURE 5, the cable is movably supported relative to the plutform 16 by a conventional pulley 154 that is rotatably supported and secured by a cotter pin 156 to a suitable shaft 158 extending between the pair of generally L- shaped brackets 160 and 162 that are welded to the side section 18 of the platform 16 directly across from the dispensing mechanism 94. A handle 163 is secured to the upper end of the cylinder 96 adjacent the inlet fitting 100 to facilitate manual adjustment of the cylinder 96 and the slide member 112 relative to platform 16.

A stop member 164 is provided on the end of a suitable arm 166 projecting from the opposite side of the slide member 112 from the follower arm 144, the stop member 164 being engageable with the outboard edge of the slide plate 122, as seen in FIGURE 5, thereby limiting the movement of the cylinder 96 and the slide member 112 toward the center of the platform 16 to a predetermined amount. It will be apparent that the relative lateral positions of both the follower arm 144 and stop member 164 may be readily adjusted in accordance with the particular shape of the workpieces and the type (degree of viscosity) of adhesive or the like being applied thereto.

In operation, assuming that the fluid conduit 102 is connected to a suitable source of adhesive or the like and that the motor 46 is energized to effect rotation of the conveyor belts 34, 36 and the roller 77 to continuously slide series of the workpieces 33 along the conveying trough 28, the cylinder 96 and the slide member 112 will be continuously biased by the counterbalance weight 148 and cable 150 to a position wherein the discharge ports 106 formed in the lower side of the cylinder 96 overlie each successive workpiece as it passes beneath the cylinder 96, the movement of the cylinder 96 and slide member 112 being controlled by and in response to movement of the follower head 146 which is continuously engaged with each workpiece as it passes beneath the cylinder 96. It may be noted that it is not necessary that each successive workpiece be of an identical configuration as the workpieces preceding or following it in order for the dispensing mechanism 94 to operate properly.

It will be seen that the quantity of adhesive or the like that is applied to the workpieces 33 may be controlled in a number of different ways, the most convenient of which is to vary the speed of the motor 46 and thereby increase or decrease the rate at which the workpieces 33 are conveyed along the trough 28, it being apparent, of course, that the faster or slower the workpieces 33 pass beneath the cylinder 96, the smaller or greater the amount of adhesive or the like that will be applied thereto. An alternative method of varying the quantity of material that is applied to the workpieces 33 is to slightly rotate the cylinder 96 relative to the slide member 112 such that the discharge ports 106 are directed toward one side of the cylinder 96 instead of facing vertically downward. The reason for this is that when the cylinder 96 is oriented in the position illustrated in FIGURE 5, the upper surfaces of the workpieces 33 being conveyed along the trough 28 serve to slightly restrict or limit the flow of material out of the ports 106. Thus, as the cylinder 96 is rotated progressively from a position where the ports 106 are directed vertically downwardly, a progressively larger amount of material will be discharged from the ports 106 for application to the workpieces 33. If it is desired to vary the particular configuration in which the adhesive or the like is applied to the workpieces 33, it is merely necessary to replace the cylinder 96 with a similar cylinder having a discharge ports 106 of a desired size and configuration. For example, the cylinder 96 could be replaced by a cylinder having a single elongated or oval shaped discharge port or alternatively, with a plurality of relatively small discharge ports such that the fluid being discharged therefrom will be applied to substantially the entire surface of the workpieces passing therebeneath.

While particular reference has hereinbefore been made to the apparatus of the present invention applying an adhesive to successive irregularly shaped objects, it may be noted that the above described structure of the present invention is not limited to such a use; for example, the apparatus of the present invention may be used to apply various protective coatings such as paint, varnish, or the like, to successive irregularly shaped objects, or alternatively, to apply lubricants and the like to a series of irregularly shaped members prior to these members being fed into a production machine, such as a punch press, or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for applying fluids to a series of irregularly shaped objects having at least one relatively curved side portion, conveyor means including a guideway for carrying the objects along a preselected path, means including roller means engageable with the objects on said conveyor means to effect the movement thereof, dispensing means extending above and entirely across said guideway for selectively applying uid to the objects, and sensing means including a transversely slidable follower arm engageable with said one side portion of the objects and adapted to move said dispensing means laterally of the objects in response to the conformation thereof, said follower arm means having a longitudinal width substantially smaller than t-he radius of curvature of said one side portion of said objects whereby said follower arm is engageable at any one time with only a relatively small segment of said side portion so that said dispensing means is accurately biased transversely of said objects in accordance with the conformation of said side portion thereof. j

2. In an apparatus for applying a uid material to a series of irregularly shaped workpieces having at least one relatively curved side portion, a conveyor including an elongated channel for transferring said workpieces along a preselected path, means for biasing said workpieces along said conveyor means, dispensing means including an elongated cylindrical housing extending above and entirely across said channel and adapted to selectively apply the fluid material to said workpieces on said conveyor means, and means including a transversely slidable follower arm engageable with said side portions of said workpieces for moving said housing relative to said conveyor means said follower arm means having a longitudinal width substantially smaller than the radius of curvature of said one side portion of said workpieces whereby said follower arm is engageable at any one time with only a small segment of said side portion so that said dispensing means is accurately biased transversely of said workpieces in accordance with the conformation of said side portion thereof.

3. In an apparatus for applying an adhesive or the like to a series of irregularly shaped objects having at least one relatively curved side portion, an elongated workpiece conveying platform including a pair of spaced parallel guide rails defining a conveying trough therebetween, means for biasing workpieces along said trough including a plurality of rollers mounted on said platform, dispensing means extending above and entirely across said trough adapted to apply an adhesive or the like to the workpieces being biased therealong, and means including a transversely slidable follower arm selectively engageable with said one side portion of the workpieces and adapted to move said dispensing means in response to the conformation of the workpieces said follower arm means having a longitudinal width substantially smaller than the radius of curvature of said one side portions of said objects whereby said follower arm is engageable at any one time with only a relatively small segment of said side portion so that said dispensing means is accurately biased transversely of said objects in accordance with the conformation of said side portion thereof.

4. In an apparatus for applying an adhesive or the like to a series of irregularly shaped workpieces having at least one relatively curved side portion, conveyor means for carrying the workpieces along a preselected path, dispensing means extending above and entirely across said path for applying said adhesive or the like to the workpieces being carried therealong, means including a transversely slidable follower arm on one side of said path for controlling the movement of said mechanism in response to the conformation of the workpieces, and means including counterbalance means on the opposite side of said path from said follower means for continuously urging said follower arm means toward the workpieces said follower arm means having a longitudinal width substantially smaller than the radius of curvature of said one side portion of said workpieces whereby said follower arm is engageable at any one time with only a small segment of said side portion so that said dispensing means is accurately biased transversely of said workpieces in accordance with the conformation of said side portion thereof.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 which includes stop means on said dispensing mechanism for limiting the movement of said follower means toward the workpieces.

6. In an apparatus for applying an adhesive or the like to a series of irregularly shaped workpieces, an elongated workpiece conveying platform, a pair of spaced parallel guide rails secured to said platform and defining a workpiece conveying trough therealong, a workpiece containing magazine on said platform, a conveyor belt rotatable on said platform for biasing workpieces out of said magazine and along said trough, a roller extending transversely of said trough and resiliently urged into engagement with the workpieces to contiguously engage the workpieces with said platform, a dispensing mechanism on said platform comprising a hollow cylindrical adhesive or the like containing housing, said housing being slidably secured on said platform, a plurality of discharge ports formed in said housing in a position substantially over'- lying said trough, a follower arm rigidly secured to said housing and adapted to engage the workpieces being conveyed along said trough, a counterbalance secured to said housing and urging said follower arm toward said trough, and stop means rigidly secured to said housing and engageable with said platform to limit the movement of said housing toward said trough to a predetermined amount.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein said dispensing mechanism is pivotally mounted to said platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,988,120 6/1961 Forrest 118-410 X 3,186,378 6/1965 Davis 118-8 3,322,096 5/1967 Stokes et al 118-105 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner JOHN P. MCINTOSH, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 11S- 411 

